Blockage during exhale - Uvula/Soft Palate

[Doza]

Wow, I had no idea the exhale blockage wasn't as much a thing as the inhale. My throat closes off all the time on my back. And at my heaviest (coinciding with hypothyroid signs leading to eventual diagnosis), it would happen while I was upright and puffing from exertion, which is very embarrassing with the accompanying grunt. That rarely happens now, mostly due to boxing training twice a week for the last nine months. I haven't lost any weight at all, but am a lot fitter, and no more upright grunts.

I'm having my titration study tonight as it happens, so it will be interesting to see whether my exhale blockage will be a factor, and whether I'll be having to change masks a lot in the process.

[Javjovi]

Did you ever resolve your problem. The same exactly thing is happening to me and I don’t know what to do. To make things worst I’m self employed and have no insurance so I pay cash every time I go to the doctor and I’m tired of seen doctor and that have no idea how to solve my problem. I have no problem paying any amount of money if i just knew for sure they will solve the problem. 

If you solved your problem please share what you had to go through to solve it. 

Thanks

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Did you ever resolve your problem. The same exactly thing is happening to me and I don’t know what to do. To make things worst I’m self employed and have no insurance so I pay cash every time I go to the doctor and I’m tired of seen doctor and that have no idea how to solve my problem. I have no problem paying any amount of money if i just knew for sure they will solve the problem. 

If you solved your problem please share what you had to go through to solve it. 

Thanks

[rolan]

Hey Mike! Did you ever find out what the problem was? I have the exact same problem only it is with just one nostril. I have an ENT referral. I just picked up my CPAP machine for the first time and expressed the same concerns since I have the nasal mask w/ chinstrap. My GP suggested there may be a foreign object in my nose!?! WTH! If there is...its been there since I was 2...HA! I suspect that the problem may have to do with the vagus nerve which may or may not be connected to my ruptured cervical discs at C3-4 and C6-7? I am very curious what happened with you!?!  

Interesting! I have the same blockage on exhale problem and also degenerate cervical disks C3-C6 resulting in nerve compression (my arms go numb if I sleep wrong). This exhale congestion symptom is rare enough that of the many doctor's I've seen, none have never heard of it, yet the internet population is large such that the few of us experiencing this have been able to connect and confirm it's existence.

In effort to fix this, I've had a turbinectomy and septoplasty done by the ENT.  Also, after a sleep study, I was prescribed a CPAP. Neither has helped to resolve the sinus congestion.   

Over the many years of experiencing this cyclic blockage throughout the night, I noticed a close connection between tight muscles in the neck+back and  swelling of the area between the rear upper throat that restricts the airway. Stretching and reliving these back muscles reliably relieves the blockage -  often in less than 60 seconds! I explained this nightly routine to my ENT doctor and she dismissed it, saying there was no anatomical link between the back muscles and sinus. However, I told her I could prove it right there in the office. She examined my nose with the endoscope, saw that it was congested. I then did my muscular stretch. Upon reexamining the sinus, the ENT confirmed that it had cleared. She was totally perplexed and had no explanation also mentioning that she's never seen anything like this before. 

The stretches relieve what I believe to be tight trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.   A physical therapist mentioned that it might be related to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). I have not confirmed the TOS, but the stretch I perform does involve the shoulders in a way that might open up the thoracic outlet. 

If anyone is interested in more detail about these stretches, let me know and I'll write something up.
Perhaps we can collectively experiment to find a solution or at least better identify the problem.
   
~Rolan

[ajack]

I have that issue. I fixed it by increasing my min pressure, till it was high enough to keep my airway open on exhale.

[Joe Loiacono]

MikeMKY,

This problem is more common than one would think based on comments from the Dr. Park web site.

I have it.

Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

Best,

Joe

[Joe Loiacono]

Rolan,

I would be interested in the particulars of the stretches. In return, I will post my results.

Interesting also will be my results since I don't have the back issues. We can see if it is a universal solution.

I've been wondering also if there might not be a liquid solution of some kind (e.g., including lemon?) that can be gargled prior to sleep such that uvula and the soft tissue in the nasopharanx would shrink back for about 8 hours. One can always hope.

Joe

[Walla Walla]

Gargle with salt water.

[rolan]

Rolan,

I would be interested in the particulars of the stretches. In return, I will post my results.

Interesting also will be my results since I don't have the back issues. We can see if it is a universal solution.

I've been wondering also if there might not be a liquid solution of some kind (e.g., including lemon?) that can be gargled prior to sleep such that uvula and the soft tissue in the nasopharanx would shrink back for about 8 hours. One can always hope.

Joe

It's hard to describe in only words, so I downloaded a iphone app for posing figures and pasted them into a document

You can see the positions with descriptions here: https://goo.gl/dGS2Wq

I'll attach a copy of it as a PDF document also.

Let me know if it works.

[ajack]

I found once I increased my min pressure enough to stop it. after a month, I was able to reduce it a bit. I think it also inflames the soft tissue. It seems that there are a few factors in play.
for now, I think the solution is the same as inhale apnea, you increase the min pressure to create an air splint.

[rolan]

Rolan,

I would be interested in the particulars of the stretches. In return, I will post my results.

Interesting also will be my results since I don't have the back issues. We can see if it is a universal solution.

I've been wondering also if there might not be a liquid solution of some kind (e.g., including lemon?) that can be gargled prior to sleep such that uvula and the soft tissue in the nasopharanx would shrink back for about 8 hours. One can always hope.

Joe

It's hard to describe in only words, so I downloaded a iphone app for posing figures and pasted them into a document

You can see the positions with descriptions here: https://goo.gl/dGS2Wq

I'll attach a copy of it as a PDF document also.

Let me know if it works.

I'd like to add that I'm not a doctor or physical therapist. This is just something I discovered that works for me.

~Rolan